+ subscribe
Subscribe now
Subscribe our newsletter now!

Press

2018-09-29

【Hong Kong Arts Centre】 40th Anniversary Flagship Exhibition and Reopening of the Hong Kong Arts Centre
Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense
Exploring Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic identity
Exhibition Period: 30 September to 4 November 2018
@Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre

Culminating in its 40th year celebrations,The Hong Kong Arts Centre(HKAC) is delighted to present Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense, the first exhibition presented after the renovation and facility upgrade work supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Showcasing the newly invigorated and inclusive environment of the HKAC to its full capacity Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense is a celebration of the HKAC’s dedication and commitment to serving the community over four decades, and a look towards to the future of the organisation.

The Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Arts Centre 40th Anniversary Flagship Exhibition together with the Celebration Ceremony of the Reopening of the Hong Kong Arts Centre were held today (Saturday 29 September).  Officiating Guests included: 

  • The Honourable Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBM, GBS, The Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
  • Anthony W K Chow, SBS, JP, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
  • Dominica Yang, Chairman, Board of Governors, Hong Kong Arts Centre
  • Valerie C. Doran, Guest Curator of the Exhibition


Other VIP guests included: Mr. Narayan Singh, Consul (Head of Chancery, Education & Culture), Consulate General of India, Hong Kong; Mr. William Lim, Managing Director, CL3 Architects Ltd; Ms. Cissy Pao Pui-lai, BBS, Honorary  President, Hong Kong Arts Centre and other Members, Board of Governors,  Hong Kong Arts Centre including Deputy Chairman Mr. Bryant Lu, JP,  Ms. Winnie Chiu, JP,  Mr. Peter Lau, Mrs. Cathy Lee, Ms. Maggie Tsui, Mr David Wong and Mr. Peter Yuen; along with Ms. Connie Lam, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Centre and the featured artists of this exhibition.

A long-term beneficiary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, HKAC was built with the help of the Club’s donation in 1977. The Club has been contributing to HKAC’s capital works for four decades and in 2014, the Club’s Charities Trust granted a further donation of HK$68 million for HKAC to renovate and upgrade the facilities of its main building, which enables HKAC to comply with the latest regulations on architectural, mechanical and engineering safety standards. It also improves energy efficiency, enhances operational performance and equips the building with barrier-free facilities. To acknowledge its continued support, HKAC recognises the Trust as its “Partner in Arts”.

Speaking at the Celebration Ceremony, Anthony Chow, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club believed that with the upgraded facilities, HKAC would continue to advance the arts in Hong Kong and showcase the wealth of talent our city possessed. “The Club’s long and continuing support for HKAC reflected its strong commitment to arts, culture and heritage in Hong Kong,” he added, “through our support, we aim to build a culturally vibrant city, to enrich citizens’ lives and to promote social inclusion.”

More about the Exhibition:
Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense explores and celebrates Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic identity as seen through the lens of one of Hong Kong’s most iconic city districts, Wan Chai. Curated by guest curator Valerie C. Doran and the HKAC curatorial team, the exhibition features works by 18 artists local to Hong Kong, or intricately connected through international ties to the city. The exhibited works also explore the role Wan Chai plays in forming Hong Kong’s artistic identity, and its image in the eyes of both local and international audiences.

“Since its foundation 40 years ago, the Hong Kong Arts Centre has fostered artistic exchange, forging connections between the arts of Hong Kong and the rest of the world through a wide range of programmes and collaborations. Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense is both a continuation and celebration of that heritage, and presents a new perspective that forms urban cultural identities,” says Connie Lam.

Hong Kong has been uniquely shaped by a crucible of economic, political, ethnic and cultural influences, resulting in a vastly diverse heritage and identity, which is in turn made up of and influenced by the localised personalities of distinct districts within the city. The exhibiting works in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense look at the bonds formed across generations, multiple languages and artistic genres that establish community and a love of place. The exhibition has been curated to examine personal, historical, and experiential responses to Wan Chai.

“Though varied in their responses, each of the artists presented in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense share an interest in the idea of place and how this is formed by individual interactions, past, present and future. The dialogue generated between the works opens doors to a new, more layered understanding of Wan Chai as a historical space, a cultural hub and a centre for community engagement,” says Valerie C. Doran, Guest Curator.

During the exhibition period, Thematic tours around Wan Chai will be arranged and will narrate the history of the area, illustrating connections between the district and the artworks presented in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense. Art Experience Workshops will shed new light on the district’s past, present and future, as well as the history of the HKAC as a cultural hub that has consistently over 40 years generated artistic dialogue. Programming will also include a Film Showcase on Wan Chai for audiences to experience the district's charm in a cinematic dimension. Creators and artists who are fans of these films, including director Angie Chen, actor Anthony Wong, Co-scriptwriter Andy Lo will also talk about how their works have been influenced by Wan Chai. (See Appendix for full programme list)

Venue: Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Date: Sunday 30 September – Sunday 4 November 2018
Time: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 8pm
Enquiries: 2582 0200 / hkac@hkac.org.hk

Free Admission
Free public guided tours available at the exhibition

Guest Curator
: Valerie C. Doran (Hong Kong; b. USA)
Featured Artists:  Gaylord Chan (Hong Kong), Luis Chan (Hong Kong; b. Panama), Choi Yan Chi (Hong Kong), Chu Hing Wah (Hong Kong; b. Guangdong), Mark Chung (Hong Kong; b. New Zealand), Xyza Cruz Bacani (Hong Kong; b. The Philippines), Ho Sin Tung (Hong Kong), South Ho Siu Nam (Hong Kong), Phoebe Hui (Hong Kong), Firenze Lai (Hong Kong), Jaffa Lam (Hong Kong; b. Fujian), Leung Mee Ping (Hong Kong), MAP Office (Laurent Gutierrez and Valerie Portefaix, Hong Kong; b. France), Cédric Maridet (Hong Kong; b. France), N. S. Harsha (India), Frank Tang Kai Yiu (Hong Kong), Yeung Tong Lung (Hong Kong; b. Fujian), Trevor Yeung (Hong Kong; b. Guangdong)

Exhibition Trailer:
https://youtu.be/_R84fZrjYec

Presenter Hong Kong Arts Centre
Donors: Anonymous; CL3 Architects Ltd.; Mr. Nelson Leong; Mr. Bryant LU, JP; Trevor & Dominica Yang
Supported by: Hong Kong Arts Development Council


Image Captions:

  • Image01: (From left to right): Ms. Connie Lam, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Centre; Mr. Anthony W K Chow, SBS, JP, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; The Honourable Mrs. Carrie Lam, The Chief Executive, HKSAR; Mrs. Dominica Yang, Chairman, Board of Governors, Hong Kong Arts Centre and Ms. Valerie C. Doran, Guest Curator of the Exhibition
  • Image02: Group Photo
  • Image03: Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense Exhibition@Pao Galleries
  • Image04 : Artworks by Ho Sin Tung

High res images of the opening ceremony and installation shots can be found here
http://ftp.hkac.org.hk/MDD/WanChaiGrammatica/

Hong Kong Arts Centre - The relevant destination for arts and creative inspirations in Hong Kong

HKAC is a multi-arts centre that fosters artistic exchanges locally and internationally, bringing the most forward creations to Hong Kong and showcasing homegrown talents abroad. HKAC stimulates innovation and promotes creativity. Being Hong Kong’s only independent non-profit multi-arts institution, HKAC offers exhibitions, screenings and performances, connecting the arts of Hong Kong to the rest of the world through programmes and collaborations. Come to HKAC to experience, appreciate, learn and be inspired by arts.
Official website: hkac.org.hk | Facebook: Hong Kong Arts Centre | Instagram: @hongkongartscentre


Media Contacts:
For more information, please contact Sinclair at (852) 2915 1234:

Sheriza Wadhwani | | (852) 9128 8151
Ridley Cheung  | | (852) 6689 2966